FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug 4, 2026
Contact: Alyvia Bailey
alyvia@johnjamesmi.com
JAMES WINS REPUBLICAN NOMINATION TO STOP THE BENSON, EL-SAYED EXTREMIST TAKEOVER OF MICHIGAN
Combat Veteran, Job Creator, and Lansing Outsider Becomes Republican Nominee for Governor; Calls on All Michiganders to Join the Mission for Michigan’s Comeback
MICHIGAN — John James, combat veteran, Michigan job creator, and Lansing outsider tonight won the Republican primary for Governor of Michigan and immediately turned his sights to November, calling on every Michigander regardless of party to join the mission to save their state.
“The primary is over. Now, we come together. One team. One fight. One mission: to save Michigan.”
— John James
James enters the general election as the only candidate in the race with a proven record of service in combat, in business, and in Congress.
“Michigan is on fire and I have always run toward the fire. I see every Michigander who feels politically homeless, who loves this state, works hard, believes in common sense, and wonders whether anyone in government still sees them. I see you. I am for you. And there is a place for you in this campaign.”
— John James
Michigan Deserves Better Than Continued Decline.
James drew a sharp contrast with his Democratic opponent Jocelyn Benson, who served as part of Michigan’s Democratic leadership for nearly eight years and is now seeking a promotion to the Governor’s office.
Under Democratic leadership, Michigan’s state budget has grown nearly 50 percent over what it was under Governor Snyder, spending roughly $20 billion more than the state spent at the height of COVID. Yet, Michigan now ranks 46th overall among all 50 states, 45th in education, 43rd in the economy, 42nd in infrastructure, and 44th in fourth grade reading proficiency.
“Does your child’s school feel 50 percent better? How about your healthcare? How about your roads? Michigan now ranks 46th out of 50 states overall. Forty-sixth! That’s 11 spots worse than California!”
— John James
A Record of Service. A Vision for Michigan’s Comeback.
James brings a record no other candidate in this race can match. An Iraq War combat veteran, he answered the call to serve, flying 750 combat hours as a Ranger-qualified Apache helicopter pilot in Operation Iraqi Freedom. After the recession, he came home to grow a family-owned automotive logistics company and create hundreds of jobs for Detroiters. In Congress, he delivered for Michigan: cutting taxes, securing the border, ending harmful vehicle mandates, saving Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and protecting Medicaid for vulnerable people.
His Freedom Agenda for Michigan is built on solutions that work: cutting income taxes and lowering energy bills, restoring excellence and parental rights to Michigan’s schools, supporting law enforcement and keeping violent criminals off the streets, rebuilding roads, bridges, water systems, and the electric grid with full transparency and accountability, and making Michigan a state where children can build their futures rather than feeling forced to leave.
“Michigan does not lack talent. We do not lack resources. Michigan lacks proven, tested leadership where it matters. I have spent my life answering the call. Now, I am answering the call to come home.”
— John James
The Choice This November
James framed the November general election as a defining moment for the state’s future, drawing a clear contrast between his vision of freedom, free enterprise, and personal responsibility versus the socialist agenda being advanced by the Benson El-Sayed ticket.
“This November the choice will be clear. We offer freedom. They offer socialism. We offer change. They offer continued decline. We offer common sense. They offer crazy.”
— John James
He closed the evening with a message of unity and hope, inviting every Michigander into his mission to save Michigan.
“I know the American Dream works because my family lived it. The son of a slave became a sharecropper. The son of a sharecropper became a mason. The son of a mason became a truck driver. And the son of that truck driver stands before you tonight as the nominee from the Party of Lincoln!”
“Michigan is made for more. Hope is on the horizon. Help is on the way. The best is yet to come.”
— John James
To learn more or to join the mission, visit JohnJamesMI.com.
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